Artist and Curator You Should Know: Ray Beldner

As we head into July, there is a visual feast happening in San Anselmo. Shape Shifters: A Group Exhibition of Irregular Dimensions is curated by artist and stARTup Director Ray Beldner – with the opening on July 8th at Garvey|Simon Gallery. Included in this show are works by Stephanie Beck, Ray Beldner, Joan Grubin, Miriam Hitchcock, Rich Lanet, Carrie Lederer, Kerry Vander Meer, and Valerie Wilcox.

Ray Beldner and his piece The Together Colored Instant photo by Vita Hewitt – photos from the artist

Unusual materials burst out from the walls in carefully arranged chaos. Wood mosaics by Stephanie Beck crawl in elegant arches up the white walls. Carrie Lederer’s work inches out from barely contained rectangles into a chaos of seductive color. All artists in the show choose not to work in traditional formats. This gifts the viewer with a more intimate relationship with each piece.

Pieces by Stephanie Beck and Miriam Hitchcock at the Shape Shifters Show at Garvey|Simon in San Anselmo. Photo courtesy of Vannaleze Barcelos and Garvey|Simon Gallery.

It’s a gorgeous show but this is not surprising considering that Ray Beldner has been creating conceptually relevant art with unconventional materials for years. You may have seen his sewn dollar bill creations in the DeYoung or walked by his piece Oakland museum of California. I first met Ray at his geniously curated stARTup Art Fair in San Francisco. It was a unique art fair that would take over a hotel. Guests wandered from room to room and met new and up and coming artists. He has always been dedicated to introducing art collectors to new artists. He is definitely an artist and curator worth getting to know.

By Ray Beldner – photo from his website

Getting to Know Artist and Curator, Ray Beldner

What was your first job in San Francisco?

I don’t think I can remember my first job, but I feel like my art career has had three distinct acts. The first one, post graduate school, I was building my career, showing in galleries and nonprofits while I was supporting my art practice by working in construction. Then, I pivoted to teaching as a means to support myself and my work, and I did that for about 20 years. Eventually, I co-founded Startup and that’s what I’ve been doing along side of my own art practice.

The Tremendous Yonder by Ray Beldner – photo from his website

Where did you go to art school?

I went to CCA when it was CCAC for about a year and a half and dropped out. Then I worked and studied abroad for about a year at an atelier in Belgium. Then I finished up my undergrad at the San Francisco art Institute. I got my MFA in sculpture at Mills College.

What mediums do you work in?

When my work was more conceptual, I worked in many different mediums, whatever it took to realize the idea so I worked in wood, plaster, metal, and even some “low craft” modalities, like sewing, flocking, etc. Currently, my work is more process-oriented and nonobjective, and I’ve been focusing mostly on collage. It’s not just paper pieces. The work takes the form of assemblage  (i.e., collage on wood) and sculpture.

Rock #130 by Ray Beldner – photo from his website

You have a long history of being a part of the art scene here in the San Francisco Bay Area. How do you think it has changed since the pandemic?

I think the pandemic changed the art landscape both for the good and the bad. A lot of galleries and spaces that were marginal disappeared, and other arts organizations and businesses like mine—Startup Art Fair— pivoted to a different model. In all, I feel like the art scene in the Bay Area is leaner, more diverse, and artist are more self-sufficient.

You have a very dynamic curatorial practice. Can you tell us about the current show and about Startup?

As I mentioned earlier, Startup pivoted from primarily an event business producing hotel Art fairs in 4 different cities to more of a art advisory. Now we do pop-up art exhibitions, art consulting, commissions, online and off-line art sales and rentals, and even one-on-one artist advising and consultation. Our mission remains the same however: to partner with artists and help them build and sustain fulfilling, art careers.

Images from Shape Shifters: A Group Exhibition of Irregular Dimensions Photos courtesy of Garvey|Simon Gallery.

This current show, “Shape Shifters” highlights, the work of eight artists who work with unconventional materials, embrace the unexpected and revel in the joy of invention. A couple of the artists are represented by Garvey Simon and are from their stable. The rest are Startup Art Fair alumni whose work I really admire. It’s a good show, really fun and joyful, and I’m very proud of it.

If you are looking for a way to enhance your North Bay art experience consider a visit to Garvey|Simon. Shape Shifters runs now until August 26^th.

To learn more about the show: https://www.garveysimon.com/exhibitions/shape-shifters
Show is: July 1 – August 26, 2023; Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5pm; Artist reception Saturday, July 1st, 6 – 7 pm

About Ray Beldner: http://www.raybeldner.comAbout Startup: https://www.startupartfair.com

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